Theraputic support device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to therapeutic furniture and apparatus and therapeutic method wherein a recumbent or semi-recumbent therapist applies foot or hand pressure therapy to the patient seated in tandem configuration in front of therapist, and wherein both patient and therapist are supported by device.

This application claims priority of provisional application 60998759filed Oct. 13, 2007.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to therapeutic furniture and apparatus. Inparticular, the present invention relates to touch therapy-facilitatingfurniture adapted to support both patient and therapist in a tandemconfiguration.

BACKGROUND

Tables and chairs, typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,934,988 and 4,662,361,are known for the support of patients during delivery of physicaltherapy in the form of manual massage by a therapist. Those tables andchairs have the disadvantages of 1) fatigue and repetitive stress injuryto the therapist's hands and limbs, and 2) fatigue to the torso of thetherapist from leaning over the patient.

SUMMARY

The present invention avoids the disadvantages of the prior art bypresenting the patient to a seated or recumbent therapist in such amanner that the therapist may use the stronger and more fatigueresistant muscles of the feet, legs, and thighs in delivering therapy tothe patient The structure disclosed also reduces back and abdominalfatigue to the therapist during manipulation by supporting the torso ofthe therapist.

OBJECTS

An object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue and repetitivestress injury to the hands, wrists, arms and upper body of thetherapist.

An additional object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue tothe back and torso of the therapist by supporting the therapist in acomfortable reclining position during the therapy.

An additional object of the present invention is that the duration oftherapy may be longer and more effective before the therapist isfatigued.

An additional object of the present invention is that a therapist, evenone with low upper body strength, may deliver therapy at a high energylevel.

An additional object of the present invention is that a therapist mayobtain exercise benefits by working large long muscles over a longertime period to burn a greater number of calories than would be possibleby using the muscles of the upper body.

An additional object of the invention is to enable the patient to assistin directing his own therapy.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of a configuration of the present inventionhaving a second seat carriage supported by an adjustably inclinablelongitudinal support rail, and a separately inclinable first seat.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a configuration of the present inventionhaving an adjustably inclinable frame supporting both first and secondseats.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a configuration of the present inventionhaving a fixed track and inclinable front seat.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a configuration of the present invention havingan elevating second seat on a horizontal or inclined track.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a configuration of the presentinvention having a pivoting support for the second seat means

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a configuration of the presentinvention having dual pivoting arm supports for second seat means.

FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of a therapist applying foot pressureto a patient's torso using the device and method of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of footrests added to the embodiment ofFIG. 5A or 6A.

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a therapist applying hand pressureto patients torso using the device and method of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic side view of knee-rests added to the embodimentof FIG. 5A or 6A.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of an I-beam track and carriage havingfriction plate adjusting means.

FIGS. 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are side views of friction plate adjustingmeans.

FIG. 7F is an end view of a track and carriage having horizontallyoriented friction plate adjusting means.

FIGS. 8A through 8E are cross-sectional end views of various trackconfigurations.

FIGS. 9A through 9D are side views of viscoelastic damping means.

FIG. 11A is and end view of the first seat pictured in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 11B is and end view of the first seat pictured in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 11C is and end view of the first seat pictured in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 12 is and end view of the first seat pictured in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is and end view of the first seat pictured in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention as disclosed in the drawings and the claims provides forthe tandem seating of patient and therapist.

In FIGS. 5A and 6A, patient 10 sits on first seat 1 supported by firstlateral rest 2 which may include head rest means 3 in rigid fixed oradjustable proximity thereto.

In FIG. 11C, first seat 1 preferably includes vertical adjusting means,preferably aided by vertical gas cylinder 4, preferably having hydraulicrelease lever 5 extending from upper end of cylinder. First seatpreferably includes means for angular adjustment about a pivot point 6between seat 1 and cylinder 4 as in FIG. 1A or FIG. 4, or betweencylinder 4 a and support frame 15, as in FIG. 1C. Lateral rest 8 mayinclude separate adjusting means about separate pivot point 6 a as inFIG. 4, and headrest means 3 preferably includes separate adjustingmeans about headrest pivot 6 b.

In FIGS. 5A and 6A, therapist 11 is supported by second seat 7 andsecond lateral rest 8, both of which may be adjusted laterally toward oraway from patient by adjusting means 9, and which may be furtheradjusted by seat and lateral angular adjusting means 12 and 13, as inFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C.

In FIG. 1B common framework 15, in combination with said lateralsupports and adjusting means hold the two occupants in fixed position.Substantially vertical sleeves 15 a and 15 b receive first and secondvertical legs 14 a and 14 b, extending from horizontal foot means 14 cand 14 d. First leg 14 a extends into first chair sleeve 14 e. Verticaladjusting means 4, preferably in the form of a pneumatic cylinder insidefirst leg means 14 a, allows vertical adjustment of first scat withminimal leg effort by patient.

Second seat is preferably supported by carriage means 21, preferablyconstrained by wheel means 22 on track means 16 extending longitudiallyalong an axis substantially parallel to an axis extending between firstand second seats.

Second seat and lateral rest means may also optionally be adjustablevertically by second vertical adjusting means 14 b, which may lift justthe second seat as in FIG. 4, or lift an end of support rail 16 as inFIG. 1A, or lift the entire end of common framework 15 supporting bothfirst and second seat, as in FIG. 1B, thereby adjusting the angle offront seat and track simultaneously.

Lateral or angular or vertical adjusting means may be by any suitablemechanism, including hydraulic cylinders, stacked plate spring clamps,jack screws, or simple slides and locking screws, preferably assisted byforce means such as springs or gas cylinders.

Force means 17, for instance gravity, spring, or gas cylinder orcombination thereof, urges second seat means 7 preferably toward firstseat means, opposed by positioning leg effort by therapist. Preferablydamping means 18 attached to second seat, for instance a hydrauliccylinder, prevents rapid motion of said second seat when unrestrained byuser or locking means.

A preferred embodiment of damping means 18 in FIG. 9A comprises aviscoelastic wheel means 19, the axis of which travels in slot or track20 s, oblique to carriage means 21 holding second seat means 7, andriding on track means 16, tightening or loosening said wheel againstsaid track means 16 depending on the direction of travel of saidcarriage means.

Alternatively said wheel axis may pivot on eccentric lever means 20.Lever arm of said eccentric is sharply obique to the track surface,pivoting in such a manner that motion of carriage means 21 in thedirection of force means 17 causes lever 20 to rotate to tighten saidviscoelastic wheel against track, creating a damping force resistinglinear motion, while motion in opposite direction rotates lever toloosen said wheel. Spring or other means is used to urge wheel againsttrack when not forcefully engaged by eccentric.

Said viscoelastic wheel may have rigid core means 20 a and viscoelasticouter tire 20 b, as in FIG. 9B.

Alternatively said viscoelastic wheel may preferably have rigid coremeans 20 a and rigid outer tire 20 c with viscoelastic material 20 b inthe anulus therebetween, as in FIG. 9C.

Alternatively said tire may be of rigid material riding on aviscoelastic track surface, preferably in the form of anelastomer-coated preferably flat bar or cable 20 d pulled taught by itsends along the path of said wheel, if FIG. 9D.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B said carriage means preferably comprises opposingmembers 21A and 211B, stradling I-beam rail means 16. Opposed clampingmeans (for instance solid bars) 30 a and 30 b pulled together by tie rodmeans 31A and 31B, preferably above and below track 16, in combinationwith spring means 37 apply pressure to opposing piston means 34, whichin turn apply pressure normal to surfaces of interleaving fixedlongitudinal friction plates 32 and movable friction plates 33 attachedflexibly to carriage 21 by anchor means 35.

Release handle 39, preferably coaxial with spring means 37 on tie rod31A rigidly connects to preferably domed lever means 38 whichfunctionally engages shoulder means 31C and clamp means 30 to forceclamps 30 a and 30 b apart with mechanical advantage when force isapplied to handle 39 in preferably any direction, thereby relievingpressure on friction plates 32 and 33.

FIGS. 7C and 7D shows typical friction means used for angular adjustmentof first or second seat or lateral supports or headrest means.Preferably slotted friction plates 42 having slot 45 and one or moreanchor means 46 in a stack penetrated by tie rod 41 are pressed infriction engagement with interleaving friction plates 43 in the form ofwashers in FIGS. 7C and 7D or plates pivoting plates 47 in FIG. 7E.

Track means 16 is preferably a monorail, and may be for example a box asin FIG. 8C or an I shape as in FIG. 8A or 8B. Alternatively, track meansmay comprise multiple rails, for instance twin horizontal rails shown inFIG. 8D, or preferably an extruded or formed cross section of anyappropriate shape as in FIG. 8E. Web means 16 b extending from bottom ofrail 16, in FIG. 8E may serve as a support for a stack of longitudinalfriction plates, which may be penetrated by a tie rod slot, or it mayutilize c-clamp means or dual tie rod means for clamping as in FIG. 8Aa.

Track means 16 preferably includes support surfaces 16 b and 16 c bywhich guides or wheels mounted to carriage means support said carriagein fixed orientation to said track means. Wheels may have lateralsupport means, such as flanged wheels 22 b. The preferred embodimentemploys simple low-friction polymer skid plate means 22 c, constrainedfrom planar displacement by loose engagement with axles, tie rods, orstandoffs, and attached preferably to said carriage means, and engagingcarriage and track means in lateral alignment of carriage to said trackmeans. Carriage may then preferably use simple bearing means orcylindrical wheel means 22 a as shown for vertical support andalignment.

A preferred track and carriage combination in FIG. 7F includes trackmeans 16 having a substantial horizontal surface 16 b engaging linearbearing means 22 d, preferably in the form of a continuous ball race,which provides vertical support for said carriage means 21.

A preferred track configuration has a concavity in lower surfaceconcealing adjusting means and/or damping means. Adjustment lockingmeans may be, for example, a valved cylinder as shown in previousfigures, or as shown in FIG. 7F, a stacked plate set having a single tierod 31 through slot in fixed plates 32 s and hole in moving plate 33 sfunctionally attached to said carriage. Track means preferably hastubular component or components 16 e to resist torsion.

An alternative adjusting mechanism for the headrest includes two stacksof interleaving plates 47 a and 47 b compressed by tie rod 41 atheadrest pivot axis 6 b, and rotationally fixed to support and headrestmeans by anchor means 46 a and 46 b.

Anchor means 35, 36, and 46 may be any means resisting lineardisplacement of a plate parallel to its surface, but are preferablycylindrical means such as a pin or shoulder bolt, through a looselyfitting hole in said plate.

An advantage of clamp bars 30 is that it avoids weakening track 16 witha slot, and it multiplies the force of spring means 37 throughmechanical advantage to the friction plates, as compared to slottedplates penetrated by a single sprung tie rod.

An alternative embodiment may include fixed, adjustable, or retractablefootrest means 50 or knee rest means 51, as in FIGS. 5B and 6B foreither occupant.

Seats and lateral rests preferably include padded upholstery.

In FIG. 3, either of first or second seats may be contoured to enhancecomfort, and swivel means 40 about a vertical axis may be provided forone or both seats to enhance comfort when the seating position of one orboth occupants is reversed.

The therapist applies hand or foot pressure, or a combination thereof,to the patient. In applying foot pressure to massage a back, thetherapist avoids fatigue and repetitive stress injury to hands, wrists,and arms by utilizing the larger and more durable muscles and joints ofthe legs and feet. Further, the back support provided to the therapistduring manipulation is not found in other massage chairs, and reducesspinal and abdominal exertion and fatigue.

Vertical adjustment means 4 and 5 enable patient in first seat to adjusthis own vertical position during therapy, thereby directing andassisting in his own therapy.

Carriage may travel freely along track during therapy or remain in fixedadjusted position relative to first occupant. Device may includeseparate therapeutic pressure limiting means, for example a relief valveon a cylinder controlling horizontal motion.

The description and illustrations enclosed herein are merely schematicexamples of the claimed invention. Obvious modifications which mightfacilitate use for intimate contact are included within the scope of thepresent invention. Deviations from the configurations described hereinwhich may be obvious to those skilled in the art, fall within the scopeof this invention, as does the described method of providing massagetherapy from a tandem seated position using furniture providing adequatesupport.

1. A chair configuration consisting in first and second chair meansproviding for the tandem seating of two occupants, one in front of theother, each chair means having surface means applying a combination ofvertical and horizontal support to its occupant, and further havingconnective structural means resisting with substantial rigidity theforce and moment created by substantially horizontal hand or footpressure by one occupant upon the body of the other. 2) An assembly asdescribed in claim 1 and further comprising means to move or adjust atleast one of said chair means in a substantially vertical direction andmeans to move or adjust at least one of said chairs in a substantiallyhorizontal direction, and providing means to position said chairsrelative to each other to locate the occupants advantageously for easeof application of foot or hand pressure by one occupant to the other. 3)An assembly as described in claim 2 wherein said substantiallyhorizontal adjustment means optionally includes a track, supporting aslide or roller trolley means, which supports the second seat bottom andrear body rest, and wherein said substantially horizontal track mayoptionally be mounted at an incline causing said second chair means toelevate as it moves rearward under foot or hand power, and to returnforward under the force of gravity. 4) An assembly as described in claim2 wherein said substantially horizontal adjustment means optionally mayalternatively include one or more pivoting legs forming a substantiallyhorizontal front to rear arcuate path for the rear chair, and optionallyincluding spring means, causing the rear chair to return forward whenhuman force is removed and adjustment means is unlocked. 5) An assemblyas described in claim 2 wherein said chair and structural means includesfirst and second seating means providing substantially vertical support,and separately one or both of a first and second body rests supportingthe upper body of its occupant. 6) An assembly as described in claim 5wherein said body rests optionally include integrally or separately headrest or face rest means. 7) An assembly as described in claim 6 andfurther optionally including lockable inclination adjusting means on atleast one body rest to accommodate a range of positions, facilitatingapplication by one occupant of hand or feet to the body of the otheroccupant, and facilitating comfortable positioning for a range ofoccupant sizes. 8) An assembly as described in claim 7 and furtheroptionally including separate inclination adjusting means on at leastone of the two seat bottoms. 9) An assembly as described in claim 1wherein at least one of said adjustment means includes mechanical orpneumatic spring means, which return the adjustable member to itsrelaxed position when said adjustment means is unlocked and occupantforce against said member is relaxed, and further optionally includinglocking means to secure the position of said member. 10) An assembly asdescribed in claim 9 wherein optionally at least one of said adjustmentmeans includes a damping means opposing the rapid travel of the adjustedmember due to the forces of gravity or spring means. 11) An assembly asdescribed in claim 9 wherein optionally at least one of the seatbottomsis attached at a fixed angle with substantial rigidity to its respectivebody rest. 12) An assembly as described in claim 11 wherein the frontbody rest is configured in a position and shape to support the torso ofthe front occupant whether facing away from or toward the rear occupant.13) A method of delivering therapy by supporting a patient in front of atherapist supported in seated or recumbent position on apparatus asdescribed in claim 1, the therapist applying hand or foot pressure tothe patient. 14) A device as described in claim 3, including wheel meanscompressed against track means during travel in one or both directionsby suitable mechanical means, wherein one or both of said wheel andtrack means includes an elastomeric component, and wherein travel ofwheel along track means flexes elastomeric component in an energyabsorbing manner. 15) A device as described in claim 3 whereinsubstantially vertical sleeve means is secured to one or both ends ofsaid track means, and receives in sliding fit tubular leg meansextending from substantially horizontal foot means. 16) A device asdescribed in claim 15 wherein leg mean situated under first seat extendsthrough said sleeve means vertically, and further supports in slidingfit sleeve means mounted to first chair means. 17) A device as describedin claim 1, wherein said first chair means provides vertical and lateralsupport for first occupant whether facing away from second occupant ortoward second occupant. 18) A device as described in claim 1 and furtherincluding foot rest means or knee rest means for one or both occupants.